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Pittsburgh’s Out #51 June 1981

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Summary

This issue of Pittsburgh’s Out, published in June 1981, covers:

nterview with William S. Burroughs: George Whitmore interviews the author about his new book, Cities of the Red Night, gay politics, and guns. (Page 3)
Gay Press Association (GPA): The GPA was formed to increase professionalism and facilitate information exchange within the gay press, with plans for a microcomputer-based information network. Out magazine is a member and will be one of the first users of this system. (Page 8)
Gay Rights National Lobby (GRNL): The GRNL is actively fighting anti-gay legislation and seeking support for gay/lesbian civil rights bills, particularly in Washington D.C., and is concerned about the potential impact of Dr. C. Everett Koop’s nomination as U.S. Surgeon General on gay health and immigration. (Pages 4, 8)
The Billie Jean King Affair: Denise Sudell discusses the impact of Billie Jean King’s public acknowledgment of a same-sex affair on women’s tennis, the lesbian and gay movement, and her career. (Page 5)
Military Issues: The magazine features two articles on gay individuals in the Navy: one detailing the difficulties faced by an openly gay man, Will Green, in obtaining a discharge (Page 11), and another about Petty Officer James L. Dronenberg’s fight against expulsion for homosexuality, which could set a precedent for Supreme Court rulings on military regulations (Page 11).
Local Pittsburgh News:
- Gay Pride Day: The 1981 Gay Pride Week in Pittsburgh will be a more subdued affair, with the only scheduled event being a picnic in Frick Park on June 21, due to difficulties in organizing volunteers. (Page 4)
- Black and White Men Together (BWMT): The newly formed Pittsburgh chapter of BWMT held its first meeting to combat racism within the gay community, foster socializing, and raise consciousness about racial issues. (Page 6)
- Road Less Traveled Coffeehouse: The coffeehouse lost its venue at the University of Pittsburgh due to a change in university policy and is seeking a new permanent home. (Page 6)
- Schenley Park Attack: Little progress has been made in identifying and charging the assailants in an April attack on a gay man in Schenley Park. The victim has initiated a self-defense class for gays. (Page 7)
- WYEP Radio Program: WYEP hosted a three-hour special program on April 27, allowing Pittsburgh’s gay and lesbian community to discuss various issues. (Page 10)
- Venture Inn and 2001 Club: The Venture Inn has been sold and will be renamed Danny’s, undergoing significant renovations. The 2001 Club is launching “The After Hours Show” to cater to the gay market. (Page 15)
- Pegasus: The popular lounge is undergoing renovations and plans a grand reopening. (Page 15)
Legal Rulings: A landmark gay rights decision by the 4th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals opened citizenship to gay emigres, ruling that private, adult homosexual activity cannot be the sole basis for denying U.S. citizenship. (Page 9) The U.S. Supreme Court, however, avoided a lesbian custody case, letting stand a Kentucky court’s decision to switch custody based on the mother’s lesbian relationship. (Page 10)
Other Articles: Includes a commentary on living in the world without “clenched fists” by Brian McNaught (Page 5), news about Grove City College’s editor declaring gays must be “destroyed” (Page 6), gays joining an anti-war demonstration in Washington, D.C. (Page 7), and tough times for gays in Turkey (Page 7).
Resources: A directory of bars, clubs, baths, bookstores, churches, community centers, counseling services, and organizations for gays in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia is provided. (Page 10)

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